Benchmarks used in researching yoga’s effect

A review of the literature from a team at the George Washington Master’s of Public Health program:

There are many benchmarks to measure a mindfulness program’s success. Listed below are the benchmarks used in researching yoga’s effect on a variety of communities:

1. morning cortisol levels
2. blood pressure
3. weight
4. fatigue
5. quality of life
6. daytime dysfunction
7. depression state (Beck Depression Inventory and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression)
8. sleep quality (PSQI score)
9. physical and mental perception
10. lung capacity by forced expiratory volume
11. fitness (Harvard Step Test or modifications of it)
12. fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels
13. lean body mass / body mass index
14. body fat percentage
15. number of insulin receptors
16. insulin sensitivity
17. insulin resistance
18. triglycerides
19. exercise self-efficacy
20. blood glucose level
21. cholesterol level
22. cardiovascular endurance
23. inflammatory markers

Teacher Feature: Claudio Kuhns



Organization Feature: Yoga4You

YOGA4YOU is a non-profit organization with a mission to bring accessible yoga to all communities; making a collective impact to bring strength and peace to individuals who need it most. YOGA4YOU has been active since August 2019 bringing awareness, connection, strength and empowerment to those they serve. Tiffany Mercer (left) describes the organization’s experience in […]